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118th Congress Armed Forces and National Security

S. 112: To amend title 38, United States Code, to strengthen benefits for children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida, and for other purposes

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to strengthen benefits for children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida, and for other purposes.

Became LawPublic Law 118-18, signed Oct 6, 2023

  1. Introduced (completed)Jan 26, 2023
  2. Passed Senate (completed)Jul 13, 2023
  3. Passed House (completed)Sep 19, 2023, 422–0
  4. To the President (completed)Oct 4, 2023
  5. Became law (completed)Oct 6, 2023

Summary

Public Law, Oct 6, 2023

This act addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and care for certain children with spina bifida or other birth defects. The act requires the VA to provide health care, job training, and monetary benefits for the duration of the child's life. The act covers a child, regardless of age or marital status, who (1) has spina bifida and is the natural child of a Vietnam veteran or a veteran of specified service in Korea or Thailand who was conceived after the date on which the veteran entered service in Vietnam, Korea, or Thailand; or (2) has certain birth defects and is the natural child of a woman Vietnam veteran.

The act requires the VA to establish an advisory council on health care and benefits for covered children. Additionally, the VA must establish care and coordination teams for covered children. At least every 180 days, the teams must conduct outreach to ensure the continued care of the children and assist with any necessary changes in care.

The VA must report to Congress a list of conditions that will trigger outreach to covered children and must attempt to contact such children as soon as practicable after the identification of a condition.

Read the full summary

The Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Health Administration must enter into a memorandum of understanding to better assist covered children.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Key votes

House final vote, Sep 19, 2023

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

Passed 422–0

Yea 422two-thirds 282Nay 0

  • Democrats208 yea, 0 nay
  • Republicans213 yea, 0 nay
  • Independents1 yea, 0 nay
See how all 422 members voted

Showing 433 of 433 members

Yea 422

Republicans (213)

Democrats (208)

Independents (1)

Not voting 11

Democrats (4)

Senate

Passed by unanimous consent

Jul 13, 2023

No recorded vote, so there is no member-by-member tally.

Roll calls

1 vote on this bill

Showing 1 of 1 roll calls

  • Sep 19, 2023HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and PassFinal passagePassed, yea-nay 422–0
    Roll call 399 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats208004
    Republicans213007
    Independents1000
    Total4220011

    House roll call 399: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass. Passed.

    How each member voted (433)

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

8

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

188 points earned
  1. 1Mike Braun R-IN SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, reported, passed Senate, passed House, became law6 events+156
  2. 2Cory Booker D-NJCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
  3. 2John Cornyn R-TXCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
  4. 2Margaret Hassan D-NHCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
  5. 2Mazie Hirono D-HICosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Mike Braun

History

  1. Oct 6, 2023Signed by the President. Became Public Law 118-18.
  2. Oct 4, 2023Presented to the President.
  3. Sep 19, 2023Passed the House, 422–0.
  4. Jul 13, 2023Passed the Senate by unanimous consent.
  5. Jan 26, 2023Introduced in the Senate by Mike Braun.
Show the full action history (21 actions)
  1. Oct 6, 2023Signed by President.
  2. Oct 6, 2023Became Public Law No: 118-18.
  3. Oct 4, 2023Presented to President.
  4. Sep 19, 2023Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4404-4405)
  5. Sep 19, 2023Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 0 (Roll no. 399). (text: 9/18/2023 CR H4361-4362)
  6. Sep 19, 2023On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 0 (Roll no. 399). (text: 9/18/2023 CR H4361-4362)
  7. Sep 19, 2023Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  8. Sep 18, 2023Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  9. Sep 18, 2023Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4361-4362)
  10. Sep 18, 2023DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 112.
  11. Sep 18, 2023At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bost objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
  12. Jul 18, 2023Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  13. Jul 18, 2023Received in the House.
  14. Jul 18, 2023Held at the desk.
  15. Jul 13, 2023Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S2963; text: CR S2963-2964)
  16. Jul 13, 2023Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2963; text: CR S2963-2964)
  17. Jun 14, 2023Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester without amendment. Without written report.
  18. Jun 14, 2023Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 101.
  19. Feb 16, 2023Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
  20. Jan 26, 2023Introduced in Senate
  21. Jan 26, 2023Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.